(To say) ‘I reck not’ is permitted to that One (alone) who loses nothing by perfidy and (gains nothing) by probity.
لا ابالی مر کسی را شد مباح ** کش زیان نبود ز غدر و از صلاح
We will kindle up a goodly fire of grace, in order that no sin and fault, great or small, may endure—
آتشی خوش بر فروزیم از کرم ** تا نماند جرم و زلت بیش و کم
Such a fire that the least spark of the flame thereof is consuming (all) sin and necessity and free-will.
آتشی کز شعلهاش کمتر شرار ** میبسوزد جرم و جبر و اختیار
We will set fire to the tenement of Man and make the thorns (in it) a spiritual garden of roses.1850
شعله در بنگاه انسانی زنیم ** خار را گلزار روحانی کنیم
We have sent from the Ninth Sphere (the highest Heaven) the elixir (namely), He will rectify for you your actions.”
ما فرستادیم از چرخ نهم ** کیمیا یصلح لکم اعمالکم
What in sooth is Adam's (Man's) sovereignty and power of choice beside the Light of the Everlasting Abode?
خود چه باشد پیش نور مستقر ** کر و فر اختیار بوالبشر
His speaking organ is a piece of flesh; the seat of his vision is a piece of fat;
گوشتپاره آلت گویای او ** پیهپاره منظر بینای او
The seat of his hearing consists of two pieces of bone; the seat of his (intellectual) perception is two drops of blood, that is to say, the heart.
مسمع او آن دو پاره استخوان ** مدرکش دو قطره خون یعنی جنان
Thou art a little worm and art stuffed with filth; (yet) thou hast made a (great) display of pomp in the world.1855
کرمکی و از قذر آکندهای ** طمطراقی در جهان افکندهای
Thou wert (originally composed) of seed: relinquish egoism! O Ayáz, keep in mind that sheepskin jacket!
از منی بودی منی را واگذار ** ای ایاز آن پوستین را یاد دار
The Story of Ayáz and his having a chamber for his rustic shoon and sheepskin jacket; and how his fellow-servants thought he had a buried treasure in that room, because the door was so strong and the lock so heavy.
قصهی ایاز و حجره داشتن او جهت چارق و پوستین و گمان آمدن خواجه تاشانس را کی او را در آن حجره دفینه است به سبب محکمی در و گرانی قفل
Impelled by sagacity, Ayáz hung up his sheepskin jacket and rustic shoon.
آن ایاز از زیرکی انگیخته ** پوستین و چارقش آویخته
Every day he would go into the private chamber, (saying to himself), “These are thy shoon: do not regard thy (present) eminence.”
میرود هر روز در حجرهی خلا ** چارقت اینست منگر درعلا
They (his rivals) said to the King (Mahmúd), “He has a chamber, and in it there is gold and silver and a jar (of treasure).
شاه را گفتند او را حجرهایست ** اندر آنجا زر و سیم و خمرهایست
He admits no one into it: he always keeps the door locked.”1860
راه میندهد کسی را اندرو ** بسته میدارد همیشه آن در او
The King said, “Oh, I wonder what in sooth that servant (of mine) has that is hidden and concealed from me.”
شاه فرمود ای عجب آن بنده را ** چیست خود پنهان و پوشیده ز ما
Then he gave orders to a certain Amír, saying, “Go at midnight and open (the door) and enter the room.
پس اشارت کرد میری را که رو ** نیمشب بگشای و اندر حجره شو
Whatever you find is yours: plunder him, expose his secret to the courtiers.
هر چه یابی مر ترا یغماش کن ** سر او را بر ندیمان فاش کن
Notwithstanding such innumerable kindnesses and favours (as I have bestowed upon him), does he meanly hide silver and gold (from me)?
با چنین اکرام و لطف بیعدد ** از لیمی سیم و زر پنهان کند
He professes loyalty and love and enthusiasm—and then (after all) he is one who shows wheat and sells barley!1865
مینماید او وفا و عشق و جوش ** وانگه او گندمنمای جوفروش
To any one who finds life in love, aught but (devoted) service would seem infidelity.”
هر که اندر عشق یابد زندگی ** کفر باشد پیش او جز بندگی
At midnight the Amír with thirty trusted (officers) set out to open his chamber,
نیمشب آن میر با سی معتمد ** در گشاد حجرهی او رای زد
And all these valiant men, carrying torches, moved joyfully in that direction,
مشعله بر کرده چندین پهلوان ** جانب حجره روانه شادمان
Saying, “’Tis the Sultan's command: let us raid the room and each of us pocket a purse of gold.”
که امر سلطانست بر حجره زنیم ** هر یکی همیان زر در کش کنیم
“Hey!” cried one of them, “why trouble about gold?” Talk (rather) of cornelians and rubies and (all sorts of) jewels.1870
آن یکی میگفت هی چه جای زر ** از عقیق و لعل گوی و از گهر
He is the most privileged (keeper) of the Sultan's treasury: nay, he is now (as dear) to the King (as) life itself.”
خاص خاص مخزن سلطان ویست ** بلک اکنون شاه را خود جان ویست